This is a link to a road map of Mexico. Zoom in to see the city names along the coast, where they probably drove. If that doesn't work, link here to the names of some of the cities.
You can also enjoy Livliv's map and use her route!
Here is Naomi's list of "Things I Saw on My Way to Oaxaca." Creatively add to it, including pictures or links if you want!
Lots of brown desert
Cows
Honking cars that wanted Baby Beluga out of their way
Reddish hills but some green
Cornfields
Apple trees
Burros grazing
Bamboo forests
Avocado trees just like home
Green mountains with misty clouds around the top
Gazibo
White, beautiful church
Lighthouse- Jman10- Guadalajara-
1. mexican flag
2. statues
3. church/temple
4. hotels/motels
5. palm trees
6. clothes lines
7. desert ferns
8. lots of dirt and sand
Wiiings9000-Mexico city-
1. mexican flag
2. churches
3. honking cars
4. bikers
5. clothes lines
6. families
7. art work
8. buses
9. stray animals
10. statues
asa9111-
1. bickers
2. people walking
3. cars
3. tour busses
4. other trailers moving
5. trucks
6. houses
7. buildings
8. apple trees
9. avocado trees
10. lemon trees
11. clothes lines
12. dead animals
13. living animals
14. and parks
Jman10- As Baby Beluga rumbled down the half paved half gravel roads, I noticed that almost every building was sort of a burnt-orange color. When we drove by La Catidral I was amazed by how magnifisant it was. It had a fountain spraying up water al least three ft. up. Guadalajara was filled with palm trees on both sides of the road and were even in the little strip that separates the lanes. A bunch of people honked at us to move faster or to pull over to let them pass but Bernardo just kept on going. I was watching all this out the window while carving a cactus out of soap. This ma my mexican themed soap carving. I next plan to recarve the soap that Clive ruined. That night I dreamed of how wonderfull it would be to meet my dad. I was not worried if he was a mean guy because than Gram, Fabiola, and Bernardo would not have taken Owen and I. From there I wished to visit another mexican town to window sightsee.
Here is a picture of Guadalajara.
the burnt-orange buildings
Not any houses, but walls, some 2 stories high.Many differnet colors, Black grills, A jacaranda, Cobbleston streets, a statue of a man with a sord help up high mounted on a plack, signs advertising the upcoming festival for the Radish Night. Dogs running around the road, begging for food by passers, and them scooping into their pockets and giving the beggers small morsels. A few hundred yard away was a lake, and beyond they lay beautiful hilly grasslands, where I could just picture my dad, Santiago waving a loving hand in welcoming. The next thing I saw was a graveyard, where an eerie and ghostly shadow seemed to follow me.-Livliv
The picture above is Hermosillo.
OPTIONAL JOURNAL WRITING:
Take some time vividly describing ONE SCENE along your journey and the feelings or thoughts this scene created inside you.
Lighthouse- As Baby Beluga traveled onward, Gram pointed out that we had just entered Hermosillo. Houses and buildings, of all shapes and sizes, passed us. I tried not to concentrate on the fact that if I don't find my father, I might have to go with Skyla. As we drove on I saw a beautiful gazibo, (I wrote that down in my "Things I saw on my way to Oaxaca" list). There were four, (maybe more) lamposts next to it. One center bulb, with multiple ones around it. As I looked at those lamposts, I thought about Skyla. That she would be the one in the center, demanding everyone what to do, and the other bulbs around her were the rest of us. On the gazibo steps were curls, you could almost say, welcoming you into it. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw what looked like a white church. To beautiful stain glass windows, surrounded by points. Above the points was a clock, about to strike 6:00. I could almost here the bells ring.
Dogs998- "WOW Is'nt Mexico so beautifull" I asked Gram who was reading the map she looked up and responded in a shaky voice "It sure is beautifull but Im worried about trying to find Santiago but like I always say lets try to think positive." Gram looked as wrinkled as a proon and I could see some green veins pop out from her neck she really looked worried. I could'nt stare at her any longer so I looked out the window and tryed to change the subject "Hey look, thats the fourth brown dessert I've seen so far in this trip!" I said with an enthusiastic voice, Gram did'nt respond. I turned to look at owen who was telling Lulu another of Grams made up adventurous stories, Lulu looked as if she understood perfectly even if she was a dog. Half an hour later i spotted a huge flock of cows there were so many different looking cows at one place that i could'nt count them all. I notices bernardo also stopped to count them. A few seconds later the cars behind us started honking for Baby Beluga to get out of their way. Finally Baby Beluga started moving again. Then i clossed my eyes and thought of Skyla and how she would have reacted when she found out we left. I opened my eyes the thought of Skyla scarred me. I felt calmer concentrating on everything that was surrounding me Then I clossed my eyes once again but this time not to day dream but to sleep.
Livliv-As we entered the mysterious city, the pitch black darkness enclosed around me. I thought of warmth, and my mind flashed to the basement of a church, my body rocking back, and forth. I quickly opened my eyes, but, of course was still in Baby Beluga. Gram had opened a window for us during the night and a cool night breeze swept me into soft dreams. Dreams about happoiness. Dreams of love and joy. My heart leaped and skipped when I opened my eyes. There through the window, shown a light, the way to get out, to be where I wanted to be, with him, with my father. I ran to the window and called to him, I called with all my strength, but there was no reply. I felt tears gather, and my heart swell up. I lay back down and the florr and cried myself to sleep. My mind jumped to the beach where I had a kite gripped in my hands. Santiago came over an helped me make it soar over the Ocean. I luaghed and screamed with joy, but then a familiar smell clogged up the air, like strong rosey smell, and a familiar looking figure stepped into view. She pulled my father away, and they ran down the beach together, and left me and Owen alone. I started to sob. I ran after them, but couldn't keep up. Soon they disapeared from sight, and my kite flew away.
Pufferfish-
1. dead dog on the side of the road
2. group of squirrels under a tree
3. a laddy selling tortillas at a gas station
4. a spider that looked like a scorpion
5. a rainbow
6. cockroaches in a pink motel
Oaxaca
7. a flat valley (a mesa)
8. thousands of white rooftops
9. dry brown fields
10. friendly people
The house
11. grassy field
12. purple giant blooming tree (jacaranda)
13. tiny gray square squat house
14. vegetable garden
15. maverick vine on the fence
16. washing mashine
17. a line with plastic clothespins
Culiacan-
As I was carving a butterfly out of soap, Gram said that we had just entered Culiacan. The valley had two rivers that met to form a river that I was informed was the Culiacan river. I smiled as we neared the tomato plantation, which reminded me of Avacado Acres, with all the neat plants lined up in organized rows. I looked out the window in awe as I spied the looming tan cathedral that went much higher than our trailer. Bernardo kept driving so we wouldn't be late, but we passed a park and a church. There was even a zoo! We saw the train station, which suddenly reminded me of Skyla and her temper. How would she react when she realized we were gone? Would she hurt Gram? But we would do anything to defend Gram. And so would our father. A burning feeling in my heart yearned that we would find my father, but what was the chance of finding one man when we didn't even know where he was? The fire was being estinguished. Owen told me to think positive. So actually, we might find dad at the festival, and I might even be able to carve some radishes! I layed down and the flames were alight again.
Optional-What do you think Skyla is feeling like or doing right now? Right a paragraph that desribes her emotions.
Livliv-I'm going to get those little nose-picking brats if its the last thing i do! The normal one anyway. I can dump off the freak with that Gram. Clive told me there is nothing she can do about it! I don't care if she begs. I just stand there and laugh my head off. Excue me while I go freshen up...Anyway, I think that Na-aomi would be better off with ME anyway. i could be a great rolmodel for her. Besides, Clive can buy her stuff. Clive says that once I take custody of her, that I wil be able to boss her around and make her do chores around the house anyway! I can slap her whnever I want! (Phone Rings) Hold on. "Hi baby!" "yes I was just thinking about you!" "Thats great!" "Oh can I talk to her?" "Hi Sapphy sweetie." "Yes your father and I are coming to live with you!" "I have never had a daughter before and it will be a great experiance!" "thank you honey." Ugg. Another brat to deal with. Once Clive lives with me for about a month, he'll realize that we would be much better off without kids so Saphhire and Naomi can be shipped off to boarding school and everyone's happy. I got to go. I-I have some buisness to-to attend to.
Dogs998- WHAT?!?! That old woman left with my children! I have two choices. Either sue her or do some damage to that stupid old woman. Now what am I going to do with the other kid,I think his name is Owan, well whatever, he can just go to an orphanage and get adoptive parents.(though i only think an idiot would adopt that kid!) Naomi can go with me, the best part is that I'll get money from the government. She can also babysit Saphire while Clive and I go gamble. Later when i get tired of those two little brats I'll just kick them out of the house! (gets a bottle of rum and drinks the whole bottle) "Ahhhh much better" Now were was i, ohh yes Im so smart! This is tottaly going to work out. All I have to do is sue that rotten Grandma and everyone will be happy!( RING RING!) great Clive is calling,"Hi honey guess what!" (breaths in) " remember that annoying old woman you met on thanksgiving?" (drinks more rum) "WELL SHE TOOK MY NAOMI!!" (searchs for her nail polish) "yes im drinking" "you have no right to stop me you drink too!" (puts on lipstick) "Well that old woman is going to have some serious consequences when she gets back!" (laughs evily) "NO Im not taking the retarted kid too!" "I dont care if we'll get money for talking care of him all Im saying is that he looks like a hobo." (puts a perfect "M" on top of her lip) "WELL BYE DISCUTION OVER!! IM NOT TAKING THE KID PERIOD!!" I have no clue why im going out with that guy. Sometimes i wish he wasnt part of my life and that i had'nt gone gambleing and met him. For right now I have to go out with him or I'll be poor. Dont get me started with Santiago! He got mad because I was drunk. I dont think I was drunk. i only dranked a few bottles! Right now all i want to do is go to my bed and forget about my life!! Why am i even talking to myself? Whatever! (falls asleep)
Pufferfish- "Huh? Where'd the trailer go?" (After seeing a near by person and learning the truth) "How dare she leave with Naomi! She and her ugly neighbors will pay! The idiots are trying to find their stupid father! And Naomi's supposed to be babysitting Sapphire while I go gambling with Clive!" (The phone rings) "Yes! Hi Clive honey! No, I'm not bringing Owen! Bye!" (Drinks a bottle of rum) "N-not f-f-fair! Bratty Owen! Idiotic Gram! Stupid Naomi! And they took my lipstick too! (1 hour later) "M-maybe I sh-sh-shouldn't h-have drunk a-all that r-r-rum.
B-but they're b-b-bound to c-come back.
You can also enjoy Livliv's map and use her route!
Here is Naomi's list of "Things I Saw on My Way to Oaxaca." Creatively add to it, including pictures or links if you want!
Lots of brown desert
Cows
Honking cars that wanted Baby Beluga out of their way
Reddish hills but some green
Cornfields
Apple trees
Burros grazing
Bamboo forests
Avocado trees just like home
Green mountains with misty clouds around the top
Gazibo
White, beautiful church
Lighthouse-
Jman10- Guadalajara-
1. mexican flag
2. statues
3. church/temple
4. hotels/motels
5. palm trees
6. clothes lines
7. desert ferns
8. lots of dirt and sand
Wiiings9000-Mexico city-
1. mexican flag
2. churches
3. honking cars
4. bikers
5. clothes lines
6. families
7. art work
8. buses
9. stray animals
10. statues
asa9111-
1. bickers
2. people walking
3. cars
3. tour busses
4. other trailers moving
5. trucks
6. houses
7. buildings
8. apple trees
9. avocado trees
10. lemon trees
11. clothes lines
12. dead animals
13. living animals
14. and parks
Jman10- As Baby Beluga rumbled down the half paved half gravel roads, I noticed that almost every building was sort of a burnt-orange color. When we drove by La Catidral I was amazed by how magnifisant it was. It had a fountain spraying up water al least three ft. up. Guadalajara was filled with palm trees on both sides of the road and were even in the little strip that separates the lanes. A bunch of people honked at us to move faster or to pull over to let them pass but Bernardo just kept on going. I was watching all this out the window while carving a cactus out of soap. This ma my mexican themed soap carving. I next plan to recarve the soap that Clive ruined. That night I dreamed of how wonderfull it would be to meet my dad. I was not worried if he was a mean guy because than Gram, Fabiola, and Bernardo would not have taken Owen and I. From there I wished to visit another mexican town to window sightsee.
Here is a picture of Guadalajara.
Not any houses, but walls, some 2 stories high.Many differnet colors, Black grills, A jacaranda, Cobbleston streets, a statue of a man with a sord help up high mounted on a plack, signs advertising the upcoming festival for the Radish Night. Dogs running around the road, begging for food by passers, and them scooping into their pockets and giving the beggers small morsels. A few hundred yard away was a lake, and beyond they lay beautiful hilly grasslands, where I could just picture my dad, Santiago waving a loving hand in welcoming. The next thing I saw was a graveyard, where an eerie and ghostly shadow seemed to follow me.-Livliv
The picture above is Hermosillo.
OPTIONAL JOURNAL WRITING:
Take some time vividly describing ONE SCENE along your journey and the feelings or thoughts this scene created inside you.
Lighthouse- As Baby Beluga traveled onward, Gram pointed out that we had just entered Hermosillo. Houses and buildings, of all shapes and sizes, passed us. I tried not to concentrate on the fact that if I don't find my father, I might have to go with Skyla. As we drove on I saw a beautiful gazibo, (I wrote that down in my "Things I saw on my way to Oaxaca" list). There were four, (maybe more) lamposts next to it. One center bulb, with multiple ones around it. As I looked at those lamposts, I thought about Skyla. That she would be the one in the center, demanding everyone what to do, and the other bulbs around her were the rest of us. On the gazibo steps were curls, you could almost say, welcoming you into it. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw what looked like a white church. To beautiful stain glass windows, surrounded by points. Above the points was a clock, about to strike 6:00. I could almost here the bells ring.
Dogs998- "WOW Is'nt Mexico so beautifull" I asked Gram who was reading the map she looked up and responded in a shaky voice "It sure is beautifull but Im worried about trying to find Santiago but like I always say lets try to think positive." Gram looked as wrinkled as a proon and I could see some green veins pop out from her neck she really looked worried. I could'nt stare at her any longer so I looked out the window and tryed to change the subject "Hey look, thats the fourth brown dessert I've seen so far in this trip!" I said with an enthusiastic voice, Gram did'nt respond. I turned to look at owen who was telling Lulu another of Grams made up adventurous stories, Lulu looked as if she understood perfectly even if she was a dog. Half an hour later i spotted a huge flock of cows there were so many different looking cows at one place that i could'nt count them all. I notices bernardo also stopped to count them. A few seconds later the cars behind us started honking for Baby Beluga to get out of their way. Finally Baby Beluga started moving again. Then i clossed my eyes and thought of Skyla and how she would have reacted when she found out we left. I opened my eyes the thought of Skyla scarred me. I felt calmer concentrating on everything that was surrounding me Then I clossed my eyes once again but this time not to day dream but to sleep.
Livliv-As we entered the mysterious city, the pitch black darkness enclosed around me. I thought of warmth, and my mind flashed to the basement of a church, my body rocking back, and forth. I quickly opened my eyes, but, of course was still in Baby Beluga. Gram had opened a window for us during the night and a cool night breeze swept me into soft dreams. Dreams about happoiness. Dreams of love and joy. My heart leaped and skipped when I opened my eyes. There through the window, shown a light, the way to get out, to be where I wanted to be, with him, with my father. I ran to the window and called to him, I called with all my strength, but there was no reply. I felt tears gather, and my heart swell up. I lay back down and the florr and cried myself to sleep. My mind jumped to the beach where I had a kite gripped in my hands. Santiago came over an helped me make it soar over the Ocean. I luaghed and screamed with joy, but then a familiar smell clogged up the air, like strong rosey smell, and a familiar looking figure stepped into view. She pulled my father away, and they ran down the beach together, and left me and Owen alone. I started to sob. I ran after them, but couldn't keep up. Soon they disapeared from sight, and my kite flew away.
Pufferfish-
1. dead dog on the side of the road
2. group of squirrels under a tree
3. a laddy selling tortillas at a gas station
4. a spider that looked like a scorpion
5. a rainbow
6. cockroaches in a pink motel
Oaxaca
7. a flat valley (a mesa)
8. thousands of white rooftops
9. dry brown fields
10. friendly people
The house
11. grassy field
12. purple giant blooming tree (jacaranda)
13. tiny gray square squat house
14. vegetable garden
15. maverick vine on the fence
16. washing mashine
17. a line with plastic clothespins
Culiacan-
As I was carving a butterfly out of soap, Gram said that we had just entered Culiacan. The valley had two rivers that met to form a river that I was informed was the Culiacan river. I smiled as we neared the tomato plantation, which reminded me of Avacado Acres, with all the neat plants lined up in organized rows. I looked out the window in awe as I spied the looming tan cathedral that went much higher than our trailer. Bernardo kept driving so we wouldn't be late, but we passed a park and a church. There was even a zoo! We saw the train station, which suddenly reminded me of Skyla and her temper. How would she react when she realized we were gone? Would she hurt Gram? But we would do anything to defend Gram. And so would our father. A burning feeling in my heart yearned that we would find my father, but what was the chance of finding one man when we didn't even know where he was? The fire was being estinguished. Owen told me to think positive. So actually, we might find dad at the festival, and I might even be able to carve some radishes! I layed down and the flames were alight again.
Optional-What do you think Skyla is feeling like or doing right now? Right a paragraph that desribes her emotions.
Livliv-I'm going to get those little nose-picking brats if its the last thing i do! The normal one anyway. I can dump off the freak with that Gram. Clive told me there is nothing she can do about it! I don't care if she begs. I just stand there and laugh my head off. Excue me while I go freshen up...Anyway, I think that Na-aomi would be better off with ME anyway. i could be a great rolmodel for her. Besides, Clive can buy her stuff. Clive says that once I take custody of her, that I wil be able to boss her around and make her do chores around the house anyway! I can slap her whnever I want! (Phone Rings) Hold on. "Hi baby!" "yes I was just thinking about you!" "Thats great!" "Oh can I talk to her?" "Hi Sapphy sweetie." "Yes your father and I are coming to live with you!" "I have never had a daughter before and it will be a great experiance!" "thank you honey." Ugg. Another brat to deal with. Once Clive lives with me for about a month, he'll realize that we would be much better off without kids so Saphhire and Naomi can be shipped off to boarding school and everyone's happy. I got to go. I-I have some buisness to-to attend to.
Dogs998- WHAT?!?! That old woman left with my children! I have two choices. Either sue her or do some damage to that stupid old woman. Now what am I going to do with the other kid,I think his name is Owan, well whatever, he can just go to an orphanage and get adoptive parents.(though i only think an idiot would adopt that kid!) Naomi can go with me, the best part is that I'll get money from the government. She can also babysit Saphire while Clive and I go gamble. Later when i get tired of those two little brats I'll just kick them out of the house! (gets a bottle of rum and drinks the whole bottle) "Ahhhh much better" Now were was i, ohh yes Im so smart! This is tottaly going to work out. All I have to do is sue that rotten Grandma and everyone will be happy!( RING RING!) great Clive is calling,"Hi honey guess what!" (breaths in) " remember that annoying old woman you met on thanksgiving?" (drinks more rum) "WELL SHE TOOK MY NAOMI!!" (searchs for her nail polish) "yes im drinking" "you have no right to stop me you drink too!" (puts on lipstick) "Well that old woman is going to have some serious consequences when she gets back!" (laughs evily) "NO Im not taking the retarted kid too!" "I dont care if we'll get money for talking care of him all Im saying is that he looks like a hobo." (puts a perfect "M" on top of her lip) "WELL BYE DISCUTION OVER!! IM NOT TAKING THE KID PERIOD!!" I have no clue why im going out with that guy. Sometimes i wish he wasnt part of my life and that i had'nt gone gambleing and met him. For right now I have to go out with him or I'll be poor. Dont get me started with Santiago! He got mad because I was drunk. I dont think I was drunk. i only dranked a few bottles! Right now all i want to do is go to my bed and forget about my life!! Why am i even talking to myself? Whatever! (falls asleep)
Pufferfish- "Huh? Where'd the trailer go?" (After seeing a near by person and learning the truth) "How dare she leave with Naomi! She and her ugly neighbors will pay! The idiots are trying to find their stupid father! And Naomi's supposed to be babysitting Sapphire while I go gambling with Clive!" (The phone rings) "Yes! Hi Clive honey! No, I'm not bringing Owen! Bye!" (Drinks a bottle of rum) "N-not f-f-fair! Bratty Owen! Idiotic Gram! Stupid Naomi! And they took my lipstick too! (1 hour later) "M-maybe I sh-sh-shouldn't h-have drunk a-all that r-r-rum.
B-but they're b-b-bound to c-come back.